Jody Gilzene, MBA, LLM
Managing Attorney
Practice Areas:
+ Business & Regulatory Counsel
+ Investigations & White-Collar Defense
Direct Email: [email protected]
Main Phone: 214-896-6054
Direct Phone: 469-382-6088
Social Media: LinkedIn
Jody is a strategist for high-consequence legal environments.
With over 20 years of experience spanning federal prosecution, military service, and Fortune 500 global corporate counsel, grounded by her early career discipline as an NCAA Division I student-athlete, she provides a rare 360-degree perspective on business law, regulatory compliance, investigations, and white-collar defense.
The Advantage: A Multi-Lens Perspective
Jody’s practice is defined by her ability to anticipate risk before it manifests. Her counsel is informed by a career built at the highest levels of government and industry:
+ Federal Prosecution & Military Service: As a former Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney and Air Force JAG, Jody led complex investigations into financial fraud, money laundering, and corruption as well as provided time-sensitive counsel in dynamic operational environments. She understands the tactical maneuvers and concerns of government agencies because she once directed them.
+ Global Enterprise Leadership: As a former Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase & Co., Jody advised senior executives on global financial crimes and cross-border regulatory risk. She understands the operational realities of high-stakes legal issues and global institutions.
+ Investigative Roots: Her foundational experience as a criminal investigator for a government Economic Crimes Unit gives her a "ground-up" understanding of how cases are built, and how they can be dismantled.
Current Practice
Today, Jody serves as a strategic partner to companies, government agencies, institutions, and individuals navigating highly regulated sectors and high-stakes legal issues. Her practice focuses on:
+ Strategic Business & Regulatory Counsel: Serving as a trusted advisor to strengthen operations and mitigate enterprise-wide risk.
+ Investigations & White-Collar Defense: Guiding clients through high-stakes internal reviews, regulatory inquiries, and complex criminal matters. She is a resolute advocate for those facing significant criminal, civil, reputational, and financial exposure.
Education
+ Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Cornell University
+ Master of Laws (LLM), Securities & Financial Regulation | Georgetown University
+ Juris Doctor (JD) | Cooley Law School
+ Bachelor of Arts (BA), Criminal Justice | University of Illinois at Chicago (NCAA Division I Four-Year Scholarship Student-Athlete, Basketball)
Bar Admissions
+ State Admissions: Texas; Michigan
+ Federal Admissions: U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.
Professional Honors & Memberships
+ Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation | An invitation-only honor extended to 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys based on professional excellence and community commitment.
+ Member, Texas Bar College | An honorary society of legal scholars recognized for high ethical standards and commitment to advanced legal education.
+ Military Decorations: Recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, recognizing leadership, sustained excellence, and distinguished service in high-demand and combat environments.
Community Leadership & Service
+ Board Member, Library Advisory Board | Appointed by the Plano City Council to advise on policy, operations, and strategic improvements for the City’s library system.
+ Undergraduate Interviewer, Alumni Admissions Program | Georgetown University.
+ Career Readiness Coach, FourBlock | Mentoring veterans through high-impact military-to-civilian career transitions.
+ Pro Bono Attorney, The Veterans Consortium | Providing legal advocacy for U.S. military veterans.